Q.
I recently accepted a new role as a Web assessment client coordinator within an organization for whom I have been working for a year. My previous salary was $25,000. When asked about my desired compensation for this new role, I replied, "I don't know what the salary range is for this position," trying to get a feel for what I might expect. I was due for my one year performance review and was expecting a salary increase of at least 5 percent. My manager told me to go into this performance review with $27,000 in mind. This was lower than I was hoping for. I didn't really feel I had much bargaining power based on the way things developed. I accepted the role at a salary of $27,875. This seems low to me. Should I ask for more?
A.
Let's do the math. You were making an annual salary of $25,000 when you were offered a new role as a Web assessment client coordinator. Even though your manager told you to expect only $27,000, you ended up with a salary of $27,875. Before this opportunity came along, you expected an increase of 5 percent; but your company gave you an 11.5 percent increase to your base salary along with this new responsibility.
Without knowing what kind of guidelines for promotions your company has, I'll go out on a limb and say it has at least met your initial expectations. You were asked what kind of compensation you should receive for taking on this role, and you said you didn't know what the range was for the position.
It is quite understandable that you now would think you should have been a tougher negotiator. I would advise you in the future to go to the Salary Wizard or get a Personal Salary Report to see if you could find a range for your job or one with similar skill sets. This way, you'll have some idea of what your talents are really worth.
Things being as they are, think of this role as an opportunity to learn as much as possible so you can enhance your job worth for the next role you go after.
Good luck.
- Erisa Ojimba, Certified Compensation Professional
